Fireman&#39;s extension ladder for roofs



Aug; 25, 1936. A. D. BAILEY S EXTENSION LADDER FOR ROOFS FIRE-MAN FiledAug. 10, 1955 Patented Aug. 25, 1936 PATENT OFFICE FIREMANS EXTENSIONLADDER FOR ROOFS Arthur D. Bailey, Tacoma, Wash.

Application August 10, 1935, Serial No. 35,614

6 Claims.

This invention relates especially to that class of ladders adapted foruse by firemen for scaling and operating on-roofs, and has for itsobjects to provide a light, fire-proof ladder of great strength; whichmay be telescoped from its extended position so as to be easily portablethrough doors or windows and so as to be stowed readily on the fire orhose truck; which, when so telescoped, takes up no more room than asingle section thereof; which is adapted to be slid up the grade of theroof; which is adapted to be hooked on to the ridge or peak of the roof;in which the hooks may be foldedinto positions parallel with andimmediately over the steps of the base section when the ladder istelescoped, or may be turned therefrom to extend at an angle suitablefor engaging the roof ridge; which provides substantial handholds ateach step, even when the ladder. is resting flaton the roof; which maybe extended to any desired length within the capacity of the structure;which, when so extended, is locked in such position; which is providedwith an automatic stop which prevents the ladder from beinginadvertently pulled apart; and which is cheap to make, easy and safe tooperate, and effective in use. 7

'I attain these and other objects by the devices and arrangementsillustrated in the accompanying drawing, inwhich- Fig. 1 is afrontelevation of my improved firemens roof ladder, extended; Fig. 2 is asimilar view of the said ladder, telescoped; Fig. 3 is a side elevationof a portion of the extension part thereof; Fig. 4 is a front elevationof a portion of the upper part of the ladder, showing particularly oneof the pair of hooks and the means by which it is mounted on the ladder;Fig. 5' is a section thereof taken on the line 5-5 in Fig. 4; Fig. 6 isa horizontal section thereof taken on the line 6-6 in Fig. 1; Fig. 7 isa vertical section thereof tken on the line l-'l in Fig. 6; Fig. 8 is aside elevation of a portion thereof; Fig. 9 is a rear elevation of aportionof the main section of the ladder, showing one of the stepsthereof; Fig. 10 is a horizontal section thereof taken on the line Iill[l in Fig. 9; Fig. 11 is a section taken on the line ll-H in Fig.12;.Fig. 12 is a vertical section of a portion of the ladder extension,taken on the line l2-l2 in Fig. l l, showing the step extended for use,and in dotted lines, the same step folded up into the ladder as when theladder is telescoped; and Fig. 13 is a side view of the upper end of theladder extension, showing especially the skid on which the ladder may beslid up the roof, and the hook adapted to engage over the ridge of theroof.

Similar numerals of reference refer to similar parts throughout theseveral views.

The main section of the ladder is composed of a hollow post made of twoparallel inturned metal channel side bars I, secured together in spacedrelation to each other by means of the steps of the main section. Eachstep comprises a sheetmetal frame 2 (Figs. 9 and 10) which is welded tothe two said channel bars I, both on the front and rear flanges thereof,said frame passing around the said post and extending laterally in asingle plane on the front side 3 but being bent inward on each side ofthe central post, as indicated at 4 (Fig. 10) to form a handhold 5,which is thereby suitably raised from the level of the roof, if theladder be lying flat thereon, to allow the fingers and knuckles of thefireman using the ladder to freely pass under the step. Also the topedge of the step is provided with an upturned lug 6 (Fig. 9) at theouter ends to prevent the firemans foot from slipping laterallytherefrom. The said step frame 2, above described, is filled in, betweenthe front and rear surfaces thereof, with wooden pieces I, suitablyriveted or otherwise secured to the frame 2. The steps are suitablyspaced on the post. The bottom step is positioned at the bottom of thepost and forms a base for the ladder; the top step is secured to theextreme upper end of the bars I The upper end of the main post isprovided with cross plate 8, positioned immediately below the top step2, said plate carrying a suitable pin 9 adapted to pass through any ofthe holes It] in the extension part of the ladder to fasten and lock theextension in any extended position. The main post may be convenientlyabout twelve feet long.

The extension part of the ladder comprises a rectangular sheet-metalpost formed of two side strips ll (Fig. 6), each having out-turnedflanges, and front and rear strips 12, having their edges I3 bent aroundthe flanges of the said side strips II, the joint so formed being madetight and firm by suitable means common in the art. This post fitsneatly, but not tightly, within the hollow main post formed by thechannels I, above described, and is of a length substantiallycorresponding therewith.

A series of pivoted, upwardly folding, steps are mounted on theextension post at suitable intervals. A series of pivots [4 are securedin the central axis of the plates I2 of the extension post and arespaced apart to correspond with the steps of the main part of theladder. Each said pivot holds the two opposite steps of the extensionpart of the ladder (Figs. 1, 11 and 12).

Each step of each pair comprises a sheet-metal loop-shaped frame l5,bent and shaped so that the said pivot l4 passes through its two endsand extending therefrom along parallel lines and having a bulge orenlargement it on the end adapted to keep the step from contact with theroof, and thereby providing a suitable handhold Ill; and also anotherenlargement It on the end of the upper side of the step to keep thefiremans foot from slipping laterally off the step. The frame, thusformed, is filled in with a wooden piece l9, suitably shaped and securedtherein by rivets 253, or otherwise. The two steps, thus formed, forminga pair, are mounted on the single central pivot l4 and are held fromlongitudinal motion thereon by the bushings 2|. A spring 22 is woundaround the pivot I4 and its ends engage the wooden pieces l9 of the twosteps in such manner as to always tend to throw the steps outward fromfolded position into operative position (Fig. 12).

The side strips ll of the extension post are provided with holes 23 ateach step (Figs. 3, 11 and 12) which are of such size and position as topermit the said steps to freely swing upward from their operative intotheir folded position (Fig. 12) and to rest on the lower margin of saidholes when in their horizontal or operative position: the said lowermargin of the hole 23 may be turned inward or outward to form a flange24 on which the step may rest. Also, if so desired, rivets 25 (Fig. 12)or other means may be placed across the post in line with the lowermargin flange 24 of the hole 23, to provide a greater bearing surfacefor the step on the post.

Thus it will be seen that, as the extension post is withdrawn from themain post, each pair of steps of the extension post successively swingsout, under the action of its spring 22, into operative position as soonas it leaves contact with the channels of the main post, and also thatboth said steps will be swung up into folded position as they passdownward into the said main post when the ladder is being telescoped.

The lower end of the extension post is provided with a retrievable stopadapted to prevent the said post from being inadvertently pulledentirely out from the main post. This device is illustrated particularlyin Figs. 6, 7 and 8. A pin 26 extends across the post from front torear, being secured in the parts l2 thereof. A pair of fingers 2! arepivotally mounted on the said pin 26, said fingers extending laterallythrough openings 28 in the side members ll of the said extension post.The openings 28 are of such size and position as to prevent said fingersfrom passing downward below a horizontal position, but permit them topass freely upward therefrom, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. '7. Aspring 29 is wound around the pin 26 and its opposite ends engage thetwo fingers 211 in such manner as to tend to turn them on the pin 26into horizontal positions. Normally the said fingers 21 occupy thepositions indicated by the dotted lines having their ends engaging andresting against the inner surfaces of the channels of the main post.

A pair of holes 33 are made in the upper part of the said channel barsI, said holes being so positioned as to permit the ends of the fingers21 to pass therethrough when the extension post is pulled out to itsfullest intended extent. Thus it will be seen that when such positionhas been reached, the fingers are acted on by the spring 29 and moveinto their horizontal positions through the holes 30, and thereforeprevent any further outward movement of the extension post. But, as soonas the lock pin 9, holding the extension part in such extended position,is withdrawn from the holes ID in which it had been placed to hold theladder in extended position, the extension post may then be freely slidinward into telescoped position since the fingers 21 will atonce turnupward into their folded position, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 7.

The upper end of the extension post is provided with a pair of engaginghooks mounted in the following manner:-A metal loop or bridge 3| issecured across and above the upper ends of the side members H of theextension post, said loop lying a few inches above the post and havingan intermediate strong metal plate 32 firmly welded or otherwise securedthereto. prises a straight shank 34, passing through the plate 32 andthe loop 3|, and then bent to provide a horizontal arm 35, ending in adown-turned hook or barb 36. The shank 34 is free to turn in the parts3| and 32. on or secured to the shank 34 at a point below the bridge 3|.A spring 38 is wound around the shank 34 and is compressed between thesaid shoulder 31 and the upper side of the plate 32. A pin 39 passesthrough a hole in the shank 34 at a point below the said plate 32 and apair of grooves 40 and 4| (Fig. 5) are made in the lower surface of saidplate 32, said grooves being radial to the center of the hole in saidplate 32 through which said shank 34 passes. The position of the groove4!] is such that the pin 39 lies therein (under the action of the spring38) when the hook arm 35 and barb 36 lie transversely of the ladder andin the same plane as that of the several steps thereof, so that when theextension part is telescoped into the main part, the said hooks 33 heimmediately over the top step 2 of the main section of the ladder (Fig.2). The position of the other groove 4| is such that the same pin 39lies therein when the hook arm 35 and barb 36 extend rearward at anangle of about forty-five degrees from said above-described stowedposition, thus being adapted to be hooked over the ridge of the roof, orother part, to hold the ladder.

Also the upper end of the extension post is provided with a pair ofskids 42 on the front side, opposite to the said above-described hooks,for the purpose of permitting the said ladder to he slid up-a roof, inreversed position, until its end has passed over the roof ridge,whereupon the ladder is turned over to permit the said hooks to engagethe ridge. These skids 42 comprise a pair of metal bars secured bywelding, or otherwise, to the bridge 3| and to the extension post, andshaped so as to extend a few inches forward from the front of theladder, as clearly shown in Fig. 13. Thus the ladder may be slid up theroof after the hooks 33 have been turned into engaging positions withoutinterfering with the said hooks, the ladder being then turned to swingthe hooks over the roof ridge, as above described.

It will be understood that many changes may be made in the details ofconstruction of my improved ladder without departing from the spirit ofmy invention as outlined in the appended claims.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In an extension ladder, the combination of a Each hook 33 com- I Ashoulder 31 is formed hollow main post; steps secured thereto andextending laterally therefrom; an extension post fitting within saidhollow main post; and steps pivotally mounted in said extension post andadapted to be swung upward on their pivots into stowed positions withinsaid main and extension posts or to swing downward from said stowedposition into horizontal positions extending laterally from both sidesof said extension post.

2. In a ladder as set forth in claim 1, wherein said hollow main post iscomposed of two parallel inturned channel bars secured together inspaced relation to each other by means of the several steps.

3. In a ladder as set forth in claim 1, wherein said main hollow post iscomposed of two parallel inturned channel bars secured together inspaced relation to each other by means of the several steps, and whereineach said step comprises a horizontal metal loop centrally enclosingsaid main post and extending laterally therefrom on each side and weldedto the flanges of said channel bars wherever the metal loops cross thepost flanges.

4. In a ladder as set forth in claim 1, wherein said steps on the mainpost are composed of horizontal metal loops centrally enclosing saidmain post and extending laterally therefrom on each side and secured tosaid main post; together with wooden fillers secured within the loops,outside of said main post.

5. In a ladder as set forth in claim 1, wherein said steps on the mainpost are composed of horizontal metal loops centrally enclosing saidmain post and extending laterally therefrom on each side and secured tosaid main post; said extended portions of each step being bent inward,on the rear side of the ladder, between the post and the end, therebyforming handholds on each step.

6. In a ladder as set forth in claim 1, wherein said steps on theextension post comprise a pair of strap loops, each independentlymounted on a common pivot pin, centrally secured in the extension post,said post being provided with suitable cavities in its sides to receivesaid steps when they are swung upward therein into stowed position, saidloops being adapted to rest on the lower edge of said cavity when swungoutward into horizontal operative position.

ARTHUR D. BAILEY.

